December 16 Advent thoughts 

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of host will do this. Isaiah 9:7 

We certainly are living in contentious times. With the government pretty much non-functioning with gridlock and hate, and an almost ‘royal’ class dividing the common people with the ‘important’ people with the political people it isn’t hard to be looking for a ‘savior’. Someone who can come in and kick out those who are ruling over us and set things right. So it is now, so it was in the years between 450 B.C. and 70 A.D. But what are we looking for-what were THEY looking for? Are we looking for a leader who will lead the revolt? Are we looking for someone who will take over the government and mold it into what we want? Are we looking in the wrong places? These are the things that the Israelites were looking for. Some want a ruler, some a war chief. All wanted the person to give them what they wanted and needed and desired and punish those who thought differently. What they got was a child. In a pile of straw. Not a very ostentatious beginning. And it doesn’t seem like He really gave them what they wanted. Sure, He healed the lame. Cured the sick. Fed the multitudes. But it was almost like they never forgave Him for coming as a baby in a barn. Not kingly material. And it is possible that we have fallen into that same trap. We too are looking for someone to punish our oppressors-whether that be political or physical. We are putting our faith in people who look and sound good-the rich and famous. It’s highly possible that we, too just see a kid from a poor family who will never amount to much. But that kid is the Son of the Most High God. Maybe it’s time we let that ‘kid’ grow up? 

This, this is Christ the King, 

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. 

Haste, haste to bring Him laude, 

The babe, the son of Mary. 

-What Child Is This, written by Wm. Chatterton Dix, 1865